Self-sharpening razor



y c. FQWAITE I 2,282,012

SELFSHARPENING RAZOR Filed Aug. 22 1840- 192 1.

Patented May 5, 1942 UNETE STATES SELF-SHARPENING RAZOR Application August 22, 1940, Serial No. 353,646

3 Claims.

My present invention is a novel and improved type of self-sharpening razor, wherein the sharpening element is self-contained Within the razor blade, cap, and uard assembly, and is operable at will.

Heretofore it has been customary to utilize a separate attachable or detachable sharpening element, such as a strop or stone for sharpening razor blades, and it has also been customary to discard and throw away a used razor blade because of the difficulty and impracticability of sharpening the same, particularly in the safety razor type of blade in present commercial use.

My invention has for its object the provision of a self-contained sharpening element capable of use to effect a sharpening of the blade Without removal from the holding elements, viz., the cap, guard, and handle in which a blade is assembled for use.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a sharpening element preferably attached to the cap in a safety blade assembly, which sharpening element can be clamped rigidly with the blade for use and then, by a slight unthreading action on the handle, can be loosened sufficiently so that the sharpening element and the blade are capable of relative reciprocatory movement to effect the sharpening action, all without disassembling the blade, cap, guard and handle; and, after sharpening, the assembly can be tightened and the blade in instant condition for further use. Thus, my invention provides a self-contained, sharpening element usable with the blade, while permitting a sharpening action from time to time, as desired.

My invention can be embodied in the original safety blade assembly or is capable of being attached to a standard type of safety blade structure by interchanging therewith a new cap provided with a sharpening element.

Referring to the drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a cap and assembly guard with a blade held therebetween and incorporating my sharpening element;

Fig. 2 is a side View;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1 illustrating the reciprocating capacity of the sharpening element when the handle is slightly loosened to permit same;

Fig. 4 is a plan view partly in cross-section looking from underneath the guard, showing a portion of the guard and of the blade broken away;

Fig. 5 is a side view;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form showing the utilization of my invention on a razor blade holder of prior construction, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail illustrating the sharpening action.

Referring to the drawing illustrating an embodiment of my invention, a razor structure is shown comprising a cap I, a guard 2, constructed and arranged to clamp a removable razor blade 3 therebetween by means of a handle 4, having a threaded socket for attachment to a threaded stud 5, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, which stud is secured to the cap I. The handle 4 is formed with an annular shoulder 6 around the threaded socket, which socket constitutes means for engaging the lower surface of the guard 2, and thus acts to clamp the guard, blade, and cap together by rotative movement of the handle l.

My invention contemplates the utilization of a clamping element in assembly with the cap, guard, and razor blade, and means to effect relative movement of the clamping element and the razor blade Without disassembling the same. For this purpose I prefer to secure to the under surface of the cap I a suitable sharpening element in, which may be of any desired material. For the ordinary razor blade I find that stainless steel, properly made and hardened, is a desirable sharpening element, and it is also important, of course, that the sharpening element may be subject to water immersion Without damage. Any suitable device for attaching the sharpening element Ill may be arranged, and, as shown in the drawing I prefer to form a pair of widthwise slots I2 and I4 thru the cap I and extend thru these slots two legs of a handle I5.

These legs or extensions are riveted or otherwise secured thru the sharpening element ID by fastenings I6-I6, thus providing for reciprocating movement of the sharpening element I0 when the operator grasps and moves the handle I5 thru the limit provided by the length of the slots I2 and I4, formed widthwise in the cap I, when the clamping action of the handle 4 threaded on to the stud 5 is released slightly.

To facilitate this reciprocating action of the sharpening element, a central slot I8 is formed in the element It thru which the threaded stud 5 passes, the length of this slot I8 in the sharpening element being co-extensive with the lengths of the slots I2 and I4 in the cap I. Any suitable interlocking means on the cap to fit various standard types of assembly razor blades may be provided.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have illustrated projecting lugs 2ll20 fitted at each end of the cap I adapted to interlock with a corresponding slot 2| (see Fig. 4) in the blade II], which lugs 20 are preferably of suflicient length to project thru the plate In and engage corresponding slots 22 in each end Portion of the guard 2. When these lugs 20 are employed for the interlocking means between the cap, blade, and guard it is advisable to also provide a notch or space in the sharpening element I0, as shown at 23, Fig. 4, to facilitate the reciprocating movement of the sharpening element relatively with the cap, which notches would be of equal length with the slots I2 and I4 in the cap, together with the central slot IS in the sharpening element, as will be readily appreciated.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated a corresponding construction wherein a typical prior type of safety razor assembly is shown, utilizing round projecting studs 2525 extending from adjacent opposite edges of the cap I to constitute interlocking means to hold the blade I!) and guard 2 in engagement. In this form, and as shown in Fig. 6, I provide elongated slots 26 thru the sharpening element II) to facilitate the reciprocating action of the sharpening element relatively with the blade I0 by movement of the handle I5 thru the limits provided by the the reciprocating action of the sharpening element I thru movement of the handle I5, operating widthwise of the cap I and blade 3, will normally tend to straighten any curved formation on the edge 35 of the blade, thus pressing it backwardly as well as efiecting the sharpening action of the relative movement between the sharpening elements III and the blade 3.

Thus, it will be appreciated that I have deviseda simple, efiicient razor construction with a self-sharpening element assembled therewith as as a permanent part of the entire razor assembly.

This sharpening element is rigidly clamped in inoperative position when the handle 4 is tightened on the stud of the cap, clamping the removable razor blade, as Well as the sharpening element, thus firmly for the shaving operation; whereupon a slight release of the clamping action by rotation of the handle on the stud of the cap, but without disassembling the same, permits a relative movement of the sharpening element over the edges of the blade by manipulation of the handle I5, whereupon the handle is again tightened and the shaving operation may be continued.

I claim:

1. A razor assembly of the kind described, comprising a cap having a widthwise slot therethru, a guard, a blade adapted to be held therebetween, and a handle acting to clamp said elements in assembled position, in combination with a sharpening element carried by the cap and clamped rigidly with the blade, guard, and cap, said sharpening element being capable of use by said operating means upon releasing of the clamping action without disassembling the blade.

2. A self-contained sharpening safety razor of the kind described, comprising a cap having a plurality of slots therethru, a movable handle projecting thru said slots, a sharpening element secured to the under side of the cap and attached to said handle, whereby a movement of the handle will reciprocate the sharpening element relatively with the cap, said cap being adapted for clamping action with the blade sharpening element, guard, and handle.

3. A self-sharpening safety razor of the kind described, having a cap provided with openings therethru, said cap having movable sharpening elements secured on the under side of said cap with means to move said sharpening elements extending thru said openings outside said cap, a razor blade and means to clamp the same with said cap, said sharpening element being normally clamped in rigid position in contact with a razor blade and in movable contact with said blade upon partial release of the clamping devices.

CHARLES F. WAITE. 

